A-League exile Gombau primed to extend Indian adventure

Josep Gombau won many admirers during his five years in Australia - now he’s charming the locals in India, where his unsung Odisha FC side are hoping to sneak into the playoffs on the last day of the Indian Super League regular season.

Odisha coach Josep Gombau celebrates a goal Source: Getty Images

The Catalan coach, whose swashbuckling ethos was forged working at Barcelona’s famed youth academy, is a long way from the A-League, where he tasted success at Adelaide United and dejection at Western Sydney Wanderers.

But the ideology of promoting and honing youth - with a de rigueur injection of Spanish imports in the mix - remains unchanged.

Odisha were known as the Delhi Dynamos when Gombau, who also had a stint in charge of the Olyroos, arrived 17 months ago.

But a name and location change by owners keen to move the club to a far flung expansion region in eastern India on the Bay of Bengal, saw Gombau’s adaptive qualities tested again.

The 43-year-old, who also worked in Hong Kong, hasn’t missed a beat, and sixth-placed Odisha - based in the ancient city of Bhubaneswar, will make the top four if they beat Kerala Blasters on Monday (AEDT) and other results go their way.

The club aren’t among the fledgling competition’s big spenders, and relative success under Gombau has already seen a contract extension proffered.

While he has not made his mind up yet - preferring to concentrate on the final day of the regular season - he has been touched by his time in one of football’s fastest exploding frontiers.

“For me, this is a special place. It’s not just about the football,” Gombau told The World Game.

“There are a lot of things people here don’t have ... it’s a big difference from Australia but they always have a smile on their faces.

“We are a very young squad (other than the six Spanish visa players) and are a club whose owners have a vision of developing young players, which I like very much.

“We play every week with five players under 23 in the squad and we are doing well. Everybody is happy and I’m happy also.

“Of course, we want to win but we are also trying to play a style that people enjoy and like to come and watch.

“The club have a partnership with the (Doha-based) Aspire Academy (with which Tim Cahill also has an allegiance).

“Players from the team go there for a year at 16 and then come back to us - many members of our squad play for India at youth level. 

“That’s really what this club is all about - bringing on talent.”

Gombau confirmed he could remain in India, adding: “Yes, my contract is up now but the club want me to stay and now I have to discuss with my family what’s best for us.

"We will see what happens in the next two weeks or so, whether we stay or maybe go somewhere else.”

Gombau still keeps tabs on the A-League and the many players who came into his orbit, both at club and national team level.

“I still follow it ... I like the country and I like the A-League,” he said. “I’m happy to see the players I worked with playing and growing.”

Asked whether a return to Australia might one day beckon, he replied: “You never know in life. But at this moment I have a job here and the option to stay. We were very happy as a family in Australia and it’s always a country we have in our minds and our hearts.”

With Cahill writing the final footnote of his incredible career at Jamshedpur, and the likes of Dario Vidosic, Erik Paartalu, David Williams and Chris Herd flying the Australian flag in India, the league is awash with imports.

“The league is developing fast,” Gombau added. “Not only players but coaches from around the world have come here and are working with kids to make the next generation even stronger. 

“The players want to learn but the standard of the local players is still below the A-League. But it won’t be that way forever.

“There are a lot of similarities between the two competitions. 

“The (10-team) league here will play 27 games next season (jumping from 18), and that’s another good step.”